Washtenaw County is again expanding its daytime and overnight warming to provide [http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/community-and-economic-development/news/2015/warming-centers-and-stations-online-for-winter/|safe, warm spaces for individuals] experiencing homelessness during severe winter weather.

To address these very real needs, the Winter Emergency Shelter/Warming Center Response work group has worked with local agency partners to provide additional beds this winter. In addition to the 50 beds at the Delonis Shelter, an [http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/community-and-economic-development/human-services/sfsp/2015-2016-daytime-nighttime-winter-warming-center-information/|Overnight Warming Center] will be hosted by three congregations on a rotating basis thru March 30th of 2015 from 7pm-7am, and operated by Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (SAWC).

Overnight Warming Center participants are required to check in between 7 pm and 8 pm at Delonis Center, 312 West Huron Street. Individuals will be screened for access to housing resources, then will be bused to the offsite location. At 7:00 am each morning, participants will be transported to the Saint Andrew’s breakfast program.

The [http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/community-and-economic-development/human-services/sfsp/2015-2016-daytime-nighttime-winter-warming-center-information/|Daytime Warming Centers] will be open 9 am-4 pm each day and participants will be required to give their name every day they attend to keep track of the community need. Monday-Friday daytime warming center will be at the churches on a rotation basis, with the Delonis Center operating Saturday and Sunday from 7:45 am to 7 pm.

In cases of extreme cold, when public schools are closed (20 below, with or without wind chill), additional temporary warming stations will also be available to any Washtenaw County resident. Individuals in Washtenaw County who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness can call 734-961-1999. For more information about the warming center, please contact Andrea Plevek at pleveka@ewashtenaw.org or 734-544-3039.

If you receive Public [https://www.mibridges.michigan.gov/access|Food Assistance], you can receive [http://www.doubleupfoodbucks.org|Double Up Food Bucks] and buy twice the amount of goods at area [http://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/parks-places/farmers-market/Pages/default.aspx|Farmer's Markets]. This program allows recipients to spend any amount up to $20.00 per day using your [http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,4562,7-124-5453_5527---,00.html|Bridge Card] to purchase Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB). Double that $20 to $40 by spending it on healthy, delicious Farmers Market foods like locally-grown fruits & vegetables. What a fantastic way to stretch your food budget and how cool is it that this program was extended into Spring of 2016!

We're only one day away from the General Election for Local Offices. You can view your sample ballot, check your polling location and much more at [https://vote.michigan.gov/mvic/|Michigan Votes].

Here's a few tips for making voting easy:
-Don’t forget to bring your photo ID to vote. Voters who do not have acceptable photo ID will be required to sign an affidavit in order to vote.
-Polling place hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you are standing in line by 8 p.m. then you are eligible to vote.
-Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed on Election Day. Polling places located within schools are open.

Washtenaw County election results are televised on Community Television Network’s CitiTV Channel 19 beginning at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015—after the polls close—and will continue throughout the night.

If you missed the session presented at AADL about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individualized_Education_Program|Individualized Education Programs (IEP's)], you can find that and an array of other topics available at the [http://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/webinar|Michigan Alliance for Families Webinar Series site]. There are a number of pertinent topics for families who have children (or teens transitioning to adulthood) available on demand by going to their [https://www.youtube.com/user/MichiganAlliance|You Tube] channel. The [http://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org| Michigan Alliance for Families] provides information, support, and education for families who have children (birth through 26 years of age) who receive or may be eligible to receive special education services. Their website can help you find information about special education issues as well as disability specific information.

Due to a malfunction in the lighting system at Malletts Creek, this event has been moved to Pittsfield Branch.

This discussion, presented by the [http://www.washtenawaca.org|Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy (Washtenaw ACA)] and the [http://www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/education/iep|Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF)], is designed for parents of children who have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or who may be eligible for special education, as well as interested community members including school staff, college students studying education or related programs, and anyone who works with or cares about children who have disabilities.

This session will be presented by Kristen Columbus, M.S. and Sandee Koski, M.A. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers.

Are you an adult who is learning to read or is becoming an English Language Learner? AADL has a couple magazines that should get your attention.

The [http://www.aadl.org/catalog/record/1347938|Easy English News] is available at all of our branches. It contains current events written at a fourth grade reading level. It's written in a way to build your vocabulary and help you read for meaning. There's also [http://www.aadl.org/catalog/record/1105266|News for You], which you can find at our [http://www.aadl.org/aboutus/downtown|downtown location] or put a hold on a copy and have it sent to the location most convenient for you. Both publications have [http://www.aadl.org/catalog/record/1325481|vocabulary words], puzzles and interactive websites. Spread the word!